The number of sunspots has begun slowly to recede again, as we move
away from the solar maximum period of peak activity for this 11-year
solar cycle. Scientists track solar cycles by counting sunspots and
this solar cycle reached its peak level in July 2000. Since then,
the number of sunspots and general solar activity has generally
declined, though it did attain a second peak around January 2002.
Inevitably, the number of sunspots will follow a declining path until
the numbers bottom out, sometime around 2006. The sprinkling of
sunspots seen here are evidence that the action is not over yet!

The upper and lower dotted lines represent the higher and lower
estimates for sunspot numbers for this solar cycle; the central white
line between represents the average of estimates, and the jagged and
heavier white line represents the monthly sunspot numbers observed.

SOHO began its Weekly Pick some time after
sending a weekly image or video clip to the American Museum of
Natural History (Rose Center) in New York City. There, the SOHO Weekly Pick is displayed with some annotations on a large plasma display.

If your institution would also like to receive the same Weekly Pick from us
for display (usually in Photoshop or QuickTime format), please send
your inquiry to steele.hill@gsfc.nasa.gov.